US4309610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of determining the location, orientation and pattern of reinforcing members in reinforced concrete
Assignee: Hochtief AG
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Filing: 1980-05-02
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Granted: 1982-01-05
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Expires: 2000-05-02
Abstract
Abstract A method of determining location and orientation of metallic reinforcing members in reinforced concrete whereby the members are heated inductively, e.g. by a spiral coil lying in a plane parallel to the plane of the reinforced concrete slab, and the heating of the members is detected by thermally sensitive means, such as a camera (e.g. thermovision), film or paper responsive to infrared radiation. The heat pattern represents the pattern of reinforcement.
Inventors
- 👤 Bernd Hillemeier
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V9/00; G01V9/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting the disposition of metallic reinforcing members in a structure of reinforced concrete, comprising the steps of: (a) inductively heating said members to a temperature above the ambient temperature; and (b) detecting the thermal radiation pattern at said surface whereby heated regions thereof correspond to respective reinforcing members.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of detecting the disposition of metallic reinforcing members in a structure of reinforced concrete, comprising the steps of: (a) inductively heating said members to a temperature above the ambient temperature; and (b) detecting the thermal radiation pattern at said surface whereby heated regions thereof correspond to respective reinforcing members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method defined in claim 1 wherein said members are inductively heated by generating an alternating electromagnetic field generally perpendicular to said surface over a region thereof for which the reinforced pattern is to be determined.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method defined in claim 2 wherein said field is generated by applying a flat induction coil parallel to said surface and having the configuration of a flat Archimedean spiral, and energizing said coil with an alternating current having a frequency of 5,000 to 10,000 Hz.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method defined in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the radiation pattern at said surfae is determined by thermovision scanning of the surface to display the pattern on a television screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method defined in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said members are inductively heated to a temperature at least 20° C. above ambient but less than to a temperature of 80° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method defined in claim 5 wherein said reinforcing members are inductively heated to a temperature of about 50° C. to 60° C. in step (a).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4005289A
Cited
US4174480A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-01-04 | 1985-07-06 | 1986-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-04 | 1989-07-06 | 1990-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-07-06 | 1994-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |